Metrogyl Tablets 400MG 5

Metrogyl

contains the active ingredient metronidazole

CONSUMER MEDICINE INFORMATION

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Metrogyl.

It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Metrogyl against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with your medicine. You may need to read it again.

What Metrogyl is used for

Metrogyl is used to treat:

  • certain infections of the urinary and genital systems caused by bacteria and other organisms
  • certain liver and bowel infections caused by parasites
  • acute ulcerative gingivitis, a severe infection of the gums.

    • Metrogyl may also be used to prevent certain infections that may occur during surgery.

    Metrogyl is an antibiotic which belongs to a group of medicines called nitroimidazoles. These medicines work by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria and other organisms causing these infections.

    Your doctor may have prescribed Metrogyl for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Metrogyl has been prescribed for you.

    Metrogyl is available only with a doctor`s prescription.

    Before you take Metrogyl

    When you must not take it

    Do not take Metrogyl if you are allergic to medicines containing metronidazole, any other nitroimidazole medicine or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

    Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing, wheezing or shortness of breath.

    Do not take Metrogyl if you have:

  • an active disease of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord or nerves)
  • evidence of, or history of a blood disorder.

    • Do not take Metrogyl if the expiry date (Exp.) printed on the pack has passed.

    Do not take Metrogyl if the packaging shows signs of tampering or the tablets do not look quite right.

    Before you start to take it

    Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.

    Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

    Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking Metrogyl during pregnancy.

    Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or wish to breastfeed.

    Like many other medicines Metrogyl passes into breast milk and may harm your baby. Metrogyl is not recommended in breastfeeding.

    Tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions, especially the following:

  • a nervous system disorder
  • kidney problems
  • liver problems
  • Crohn`s disease, an inflammatory disease of the intestines.

    • Your doctor may want to take special care if you have any of these conditions.

    If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Metrogyl.

    Taking other medicines

    Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

    Some medicines may be affected by Metrogyl, or may affect how well it works. These include:

  • warfarin, a medicine used to prevent blood clots
  • some anticancer drugs such as carmustine (BCNU), cyclophospamide or 5-fluorouracil
  • lithium, a medicine used to treat mood swings and some types of depression
  • disulfiram, a medicine used to treat chronic alcohol dependence
  • phenytoin or phenobarbitone, medicines used to treat seizures
  • cimetidine, a medicine used to treat reflux and ulcers
  • cyclosporin, a medicine used to prevent organ transplant rejection or to treat immune diseases.

    • Your doctor can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.

    If you are not sure whether you are taking any of these medicines, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

    Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Metrogyl.

    How to take Metrogyl

    How much to take

    The dose varies from patient to patient. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets you need to take each day and when to take them. This depends on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.

    Elderly patients may need smaller doses.

    Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.

    How to take Metrogyl

    Swallow the tablets with half a glass of water.

    Do not crush or chew the tablets.

    Metrogyl tablets, however, can be broken in half if your doctor has prescribed half a tablet.

    When to take Metrogyl

    Take Metrogyl with or immediately after food.

    This will lessen the chance of a stomach upset.

    If you are taking more than a single dose of Metrogyl, space the doses evenly throughout the day.

    If you forget to take Metrogyl

    If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

    Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablets as you would normally.

    Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.

    If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

    If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

    How long to take Metrogyl for

    Keep taking Metrogyl until you finish the bottle, or for as long as your doctor recommends.

    Metrogyl is usually taken for 7 days, however your doctor may prescribe Metrogyl for longer periods depending on the condition you are being treated for.

    Check with your doctor if you are not sure how long you should be taking it for.

    Do not stop taking Metrogyl, even if you feel better after a few days, unless advised by your doctor.

    Your infection may not clear completely if you stop taking your medicine too soon.

    If you take too much Metrogyl (overdose)

    Immediately telephone your doctor, or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26), or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Metrogyl. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

    You may need urgent medical attention.

    If you take too much Metrogyl, you may feel disorientated, unsteadiness when walking and vomiting may occur.

  • While you are taking Metrogyl

    Things you must do

    Before starting any new medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking Metrogyl.

    Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Metrogyl.

    If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor.

    Make sure you have any blood tests that your doctor requests, especially if you are taking Metrogyl for longer than 10 days or if you are elderly.

    If you have to have any other blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking Metrogyl.

    Metrogyl may affect the results of some tests.

    If you notice a persistent numbness, tingling or weakness of the arms or legs, stop taking Metrogyl and tell your doctor immediately.

    If you become pregnant while taking Metrogyl, stop taking it and tell your doctor immediately.

    If you get a sore, white mouth or tongue while taking or soon after stopping Metrogyl, tell your doctor. Also tell your doctor if you get vaginal itching or discharge.

    This may mean you have a fungal infection called thrush. Sometimes, the use of Metrogyl allows fungi to grow and the above symptoms to occur. Metrogyl does not work against fungi.

  • Things you must not do

    Do not drink any alcohol while taking Metrogyl and for at least 24 hours after stopping treatment.

    The use of alcohol may make you feel very sick, vomit, have stomach cramps, headaches and flushing.

    Do not use Metrogyl to treat any other conditions unless your doctor tells you to.

    Do not give Metrogyl to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

    Things to be careful of

    Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Metrogyl affects you.

    Metrogyl may cause confusion, dizziness or hallucinations in some people. If any of these occur, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.

  • Side effects

    Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Metrogyl.

    Like all other medicines, Metrogyl may have unwanted side effects in some people. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

    If you are over 65 years of age, you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.

    Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.

    You may not experience any of them.

    Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

    Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

  • oral thrush – white, furry tongue and mouth
  • vaginal thrush – sore itchy vagina with or without discharge
  • pain when passing urine, darkened urine
  • nausea, vomiting
  • headache
  • diarrhoea, constipation, stomach cramps
  • a metallic, unpleasant taste, taste disturbances, loss of appetite
  • nasal congestion, dryness of mouth.

    • Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:

  • frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
  • bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
  • dizziness, unsteadiness when walking
  • confusion, hallucinations
  • seizures (fits).

    • If any of the following happen, stop taking Metrogyl and tell your doctor immediately, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital:

  • skin rash, itchiness, hives
  • swelling of the face, lips, mouth, throat or neck which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, or muscle weakness
  • severe upper stomach pain, often with nausea and vomiting.

  • Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.

    After taking Metrogyl

    Storage

    Keep Metrogyl where children cannot reach it.

  • A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
  • Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30 degrees C.
  • Do not store Metrogyl or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
  • Do not leave Metrogyl in the car or on window sills.

    • Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

    Disposal

  • If your doctor tells you to stop taking Metrogyl, or your tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.

    • Product description

    What it looks like

    Metrogyl comes in 2 strengths of tablets:

  • Metrogyl 200 – round white tablet marked MZ/200 on one side and G on the reverse
  • Metrogyl 400 – round yellow tablet marked MZ/400 on one side and G on the reverse.
  • Each pack contains 21 tablets. Metrogyl 400 is also available in bottles of 5 tablets.

    • Ingredients

    The active ingredient in Metrogyl is metronidazole.

    Each Metrogyl tablet contains either 200 mg or 400 mg of metronidazole.

    The tablets also contain:

  • lactose
  • disodium edetate
  • ethylcellulose
  • sodium starch glycollate
  • silica – colloidal anhydrous
  • guar gum
  • magnesium stearate.

    • Metrogyl 400 also contains quinoline yellow CI 47005 (E104).

    The tablets are gluten free.

    Manufacturer

    Metrogyl is made in Australia by:

  • Alphapharm Pty Limited
  • (ABN 93 002 359 739)
  • Chase Building 2
  • Wentworth Park Road
  • Glebe NSW 2037
  • Phone: (02) 9298 3999
  • Medical Information
  • Phone: 1800 028 365
  • Australian registration numbers:
  • Metrogyl 200 – Aust R 17654
  • Metrogyl 400 – Aust R 17655
  • This leaflet was prepared on
  • 26 February 2001.

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